Founded by Cesar Villalon Jr., The Drawing Room opened its exhibition space on February 1998. It kicked off as gallery accommodating works on paper – a significant art form which Villalon believed to be an intimate artistic expression. High quality works by exceptional Filipino draughtsmen like Ben Cabrera, J. Elizalde Navarro, Kiko Escora, and Marcel Antonio are part of The Drawing Room’s original collection. But what started as an alcove of works on paper progressed into a prominent gallery that embraces contemporary visual worlds invoked through various media. Works on canvas along with conceptual installations now own the space. The Drawing Room’s taste include very introspective pieces by artists of different sensibilities. Ranging from figure and found objects to landscapes, still life and non-representational, the genre becomes dictated by the authentic emotional layers of each artist from The Drawing Room.
The Drawing Room hosts an exhibition every month. It is situated at the heart of Metro Manila’s bustling industrial district, but it is at the same time far from any other commercial space. It only suffices, then, that the gallery’s guests are from a variety of modern visual currents. The Drawing Room is currently representing young eminent Filipino artists who concern themselves with
universal contemporary issues. Internationally-acclaimed artist such as Alfredo Aquilizan and Jose Legaspi, who have participated in the Venice and Istanbul Biennales respectively, are involved in a number of the gallery’s projects. From vivid portrayals of popular culture to personal versions of cosmopolitan thinking, The Drawing Room is a hub for contemporary Philippine fine art.
The Drawing Room is dedicated to propelling its artists internationally. The gallery is a regular participant and exhibitors in Art Fairs and international events such as Scope New York/Miami, Hong Kong Art Fair, India Art Summit, Art Singapore, Slick Paris and China International Gallery Exposition. Aside from this, the Drawing Room has been exhibiting its artists in galleries outside
the Philippines – namely Singapore, Taipei, Jakarta, Beijing, Turin and London.
